Mrs Fat Lad is Fighting Back

6 weeks and 3 days ago I tumbled off my bike breaking my collar bone
and damaging my elbow and shoulder at the same time.

Sat in A&E I was not a happy chappy, in fact my mood got worse when
the doctors started saying things like I wouldn’t be riding again
until October – 4 months away.

So what did I do….. I decided that I wasn’t going to sulk about the
doc’s opinions on when I would pedal again and instead do something
with my time and hopefully prove them wrong

Seeing as I had spent the winter slogging my guts out riding through
West Yorkshires finest stickiest wettest mud in an attempt to get
fitter I decided that I needed to keep turning the wheels somehow.

Out came the turbo trainer, yep the dreaded turbo trainer. I decided
that I needed a challenge, something that would keep me motivated,
keep me focussed and sane

With all that in mind I announced on twitter that I was going to do a
turbo version of LEJOG, a mere 874 miles from Lands End to John O
Groats. At the back of my head a small voice wondered if I was daft,
it was a huge number of miles, I couldn’t reach the handlebars because
of my broken bones and in fact getting on and off the turbo was really
rather challenging.

What I hadn’t factored in was the fantastic people I chat to on
twitter, there was lots of encouragement, my fellow broken collar bone
twin @trio25 agreed to do the same on her turbo, @stickymitts and
@_rOcKeTdOg_ decided they would attempt to do the same distance on
actual bikes whilst I pedalled on the turbo inside.

So far I have ridden 82 miles so still a long way to go, I’m slowly
healing, plenty of physio sessions, lots of turns on the turbo even
though I still can’t reach the handlebars. All the time being
supported by Al who has in the last 6 weeks dressed me, made my
meals,cut up my food, driven me everywhere, sorted out my tears of
frustration and continually looked after me whilst I have begun to
heal.

Hopefully the sling will disappear this week, my collarbone appears to
be healing well, my shoulder is a bit more troublesome but we will
see. All I need to focus on now is more sessions on the turbo to make
those miles disappear and to get out pedalling properly.

I happened on this blog by accident today, and it struck a nerve. I broke my collar bone and 6 ribs plus other injuries in a solo bike accident 7 weeks ago. All were quite displaced, and the geography of my right side is subtly altered as new bone grows, magically bridging gaps.

I’ve been back on my bike, cautiously, for about a week now, and though I am not yet taking descents at speed, I am finding joy in the outdoors. I must say it’s easier to ride 20 flat miles at this point, even with a 30 k/hr headwind, than to get myself to a sitting position in bed or to reach something on my nightstand. However, my physical therapist says I am way ahead of schedule, especially since I’m in my 50s, and I expect full recovery in due time. Good luck in your recovery!

And I am far from ready to ride on wet roads! I wouldn’t be riding outside if I were in the sweltering US East or in the rainy UK!

PS, Fat Lad, I think it’s easier to be the broken one than to witness your love get broken.